Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!
In what is a happy coincidence for Mozart lovers, there will be three separate productions of the beloved opera, “The Marriage of Figaro” here in Brooklyn, and all in the month of November.
Since this famed opera, which tells the tale of love, jealousy and deception in a comic style, is the eighth most-performed opera in the world, it is not really such a startling surprise that three different opera companies have chosen this for their winter season.
“Anybody who’s ever seen or heard the word ‘opera’ has heard of ‘The Marriage of Figaro”™” said Fran Garber, chairwoman of the Regina Opera Company, whose production begin with a free preview in on November 12. “Some operas have one or two hit tunes – this has eight or nine.”
The ‘underground’ opera company, LoftOpera, which featured Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” during its initial spring show decided on Figaro for its second offering because of its popularity.
“It’s really attractive because it is so well-known” said LoftOpera founder Daniel Ellis-Ferris, whose production runs November 7—9 in refurbished Gowanus warehouse. “People know that if they go to something titled ‘the Marriage of Figaro”™ they’re going to enjoy it.”
Opera in the Slope will also offer its own, slightly unique version of Figaro. Producer Carlos Jimeno will be building a huge house of cards for the performance, which will act as a screen.
“This screen would give the idea of the possible collapse of society” said Jimeno, who will play the Count in his production. “It is also very useful to hide people, which happen a lot.”
- LoftOpera is at Gowanus Lofts, 91 Ninth Street between Smith Street and Second Avenue in Gowanus: (347) 763-2210, www.gowanusloft.com. Tickets are $20.
- Regina Opera is at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, 5902 Sixth Avenue at 59th Street in Bay Ridge: (718) 439-8067, www.reginaopera.org, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 16—24 at 3 pm, $20—$25. There will be a free performance on Nov. 12 at 7:30 pm.
- Opera in the Slope is at Old First Reformed Church, 729 Carroll St. at Seventh Avenue in Park Slope: (718) 407-9872, Nov. 16 at 6 pm and Nov. 17 at 4 pm, $18, $15 in advance.
